Spray gun handle



NN .NN EN MM, 0m. MN kN 3 nu wh W NW MQ A SPRAY GUN HANDLE Filed July-'11, m46

IN. Hlm Q A. R. LQFSTRAND, JR

June 20, 1950 Patented June 20, 1950 IUNITED STATES! ATENT orme.E

spaar GUN HANDLE:

Anders Rudolf Lofstrand, J'r.,-Silver Spring, Md. Appueatian Jlyu, 1946, serial No. es'2,'s41 e claims. 01. 251-115) This invention relates `to Ysprays andinore particularly to an improved valve-and operator for 'a spray nozzle.

An object of this invention is to vprovide ina spray nozzle, a `handle therefor and a valve operator associated with the handle so that the valve can be actuated to either opened or kclosed position vby the 'same hand which supports the nozzle.

Another object of this `invention is to provide a .handle which is rotatably secured-to the valve so that the hose and valve may rotate relative to the handle and thereby eliminate twisting of the hose.

A 'further object of this invention is to provide in combination with a valve, an elongated stem rockably secured to the valve rplug and extending into the adjacent end of lthe rubber hose, the hose extending between two loose supports carried by ahandlasoth'at the fingers grasping the handle may engage about the hose to effect bend; ing of the latter and consequent rocking of the valve stem. Rocking of the valve stem inwardly of the handle will effect vmovement 4of the valve plug to open position. The handle-also includes means whereby the hose may be locked lin its bentpositio'n'to thereby maintain the valve plug in open position.

A further object of Ythis invention is toprovide an improved valve vstructure for 'use with a sprayer handle.

With the above and other objects in View, my invention consists in the arrange1nent,combina tion and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the respective views,

vFigure 1 is a detail side elevation, partly broken .away and in longitudinal section, of a sprayer handle and valve structure constructed accord'- ing to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure A2 is a longitudinal section, partly broken away and in elevation, of a modied 'ferm of this invention.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I designates generally a handle which includes a substantially U-shaped body I I formed at the rear end thereof with a downturned wall I2 terminating in a relatively thick or heavy rear end wall I3. The forward end of the body II has formed integral therewith a front wall I4 and a projection or lug I5 entends upwardly from the body II, The'rear wall I3 is formed with an 2 opening f6 therethrough for loosely receiving a rubber hose I'I.

Thehose 'Il is adapted to rotate within the hole It so that, as will be hereinafter described, the hose will not become twisted and will not be inwardly bent between Vthe end x'ivalls I3, I4, under `continual inward bending ofthe hose during the operation of the valve structure,` which will be hereinafter described. .The hose Il is 'coupled to a valve structure generally designated as I8.

The valve structure I 8 lincludes a `housing I9 formed with a nipple 2li whichisloosely mounted in an opening 2l formed in the forward wall I4. A Vthreaded `nipple v22 is extended lrearwardly from the nipple 20 and a coupling member 23 Vis threaded onto the nipple `22 and lbinds the `forward end of the vhose 'Il' to the nipple 22. The housing I8 also includes a 'coupling plug V2li at its forward "end which isy threaded into the forward end of the housing vIt and which hasa pipe 25 threaded thereinto. y y

The pipe 2-5 has mounted on the forward end thereof a spray hozzler of conventional construction. A gasket 21 is interposed between the inner end of the plug 24 and a shoulder 28 vformed in the housing I8. A ribbed valve yplug 29 is adapted to normally engage against the gasket or seat 21, being constantly urged to closed position by means of a spring 30 disposed inthe bore 3l of the housing I8. The valve plug '29 also includes a stem 32 which is formed with a ball socket 3K3 within which a ball 34 looselyengages.

An elongated valve stem 35 is iiedto the 'ball 34 and extends through the `bore 3E of the nipple 22. The stem 35 vhas vmounted on the rear end thereof a'ribbed plate 31 which is mounted on a reduced stud or extension 38 formed at the rear end of the stem 35. A metal sleeve 39 is disposed loosely about the hose Il, being positioned at the terminal end of Vthe stem 3'5 so that the ribbed plate 3l is disposed i'n substantially the transverse median of sleeve 39.

r'he sleeve 39 hasl extending therefroman arm fil] formed with an elongated slot 4I. The arm di] extends between the opposite legs V42 of the Ueshaped member II. In order to provide a means whereby, upon inward bending of the'hose Il between the sides 62 of the handle, the hose will be maintained in its inwardly bent vposition so as to thereby hold the valve plug 29 in open position, I have provided a ro'ckable lever generally designated as t3.A The lever 63 isrockably mounted on a pivot carried by at least one ear 45DOSt0ne`d within the handle Il). The lever H3 also includes a second lever '46, disposed on an obtuse angle to the lever 43 and extending forwardly from the pivot 45.

A iinger or thumb engaging member 41 is fixed relative to the lever 46 and is disposed on the outer side of one of the sides 42 of the handle l0. The handle I9 is formed with an elongated slot 4% through which the lever 46 projects laterally in order that the operator 4'! may be disposed on the outer side of the handle I0. The lever 43 is formed with an elongated slot 5 within which the arm 40 loosely engages, and a pin 50 extends through the slot 49 and loosely engages in the slot 4i.

The forward end of the lever 43 is formed with a notch 5I within which the forward end of an elongated spring 52 is adapted to engage. The other or rear end of the spring 52 engages in a notch 53 which is formed in the inner side of the rear wall i3. When the lever 43 is in released position, spring 52 will be downwardly or outwardly bowed, as shown in full line in Figure 1, whereas when the hose Il is flexed inwardly, and lever 43 is rocked inwardly to the dotted line position, spring 52 will be bowed in the opposite direction, as shown in dotted lines and will thus yieldingly hold the hose in inwardly flexed position, in which position the valve plug 29 will be moved to open position.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is disclosed a modied form of this invention. In this form there is disclosed a handle 15a which is substantially similar to the handle l0. A hose I'I is loosely mounted through the opening i6 formed in the rear end Wall i3 of the handle, and the forward end of the hose l1 has mounted thereon a valve housing IB which is identical with the housing shown in Figure l.

The housing I8 has mounted thereon a valve plug 29 which is normally urged to valve closing position against the valve seat or gasket 2'! by means of a spring 30. The valve plug 29 is adapted to be moved to open position by tilting of the valve stem 35, the latter having a ribbed plate 37 on the rear end thereof. The housing I8 is loosely mounted in the opening 2| formed in the forward wall i4 of the handle l0 and the hose I'I is coupled to the nipple 22 of the valve housing .by a coupling sleeve 23.

A sleeve 54 is loosely mounted on the hose I7 in a position to telescope over the ribbed plate 37 outside of the hose, and the sleeve 5d has fixed thereto an inwardly extending arm 55 which is formed with an elongated slot 55. A stop pin 51 is extended across the parallel sides i2 of the handle i and limits the outward movement of the arm 55 and the sleeve 54.

In order to provide a means whereby the hose l1 will be locked in its inwardly bent or bowed position, I have provided an elongated locking bar 53. The bar S is disposed on the inner side of the handle l0 and is formed with an elongated slot 59 through which a headed bolt 6G loosely engages. The inner or rear end of the locking bar 58 is outwardly bent as indicated at 5i and is adapted to engage in a slot or keeper S2 which is formed in the arm 55. The forward end of the bar 58 is enlarged as indicated at 53 and extends laterally or outwardly through the opening -64 which is formed in the bight B5 of the handle i0.

A rearwardly projecting lug 66 is formed integral with the extension 63 and loosely engages in a recess B1 formed in the outer side of the bight 65. An operating lug or button 68 extends forwardly and outwardly from the extension E3 4 and is adapted when the locking bar 58 is in released position to be disposed with the forward end thereof ilush with the forward side of the wall i4.

In the use and operation of this combined handle and valve structure, when the handle i0 and the hose l1 are in the positions shown in full lines in Figure 1, spring 30 will hold the valve plug 29 in closed position against the gasket 21. When it is desired to move the valve plug 29 to an open position, the hose l1 is exed inwardly between the parallel sides 42 of the handle l0 thereby rocking the stem 35 and causing rearward pull on the plug 29.

The hose l1 may be retained in its inwardly flexed position for holding the valve open by moving the button 41 downwardly so as to reverse the bow of spring 52 to the dotted line ,position shown in Figure 1. The hose I1 is not only loosely mounted in the handle l0 but is also loosely mounted in the sleeve 39 so that the hose or the handle may be rotated, one relative to the other. In this manner the hose I7 will be held against the formation of an inwardly bowed position between the end walls I3, I4 due to the opening and closing of the valve.

In the event the hose I1 should become slightly bowed in an outward direction sufficient to hold the valve plug 29 open, the handle or the hose may be rotated sufciently to overcome this bowing oi the hose and thereby permit longer life to the hose and valve structure than would be the oase where the handle l5 was firmly mounted on both the valve housing and the hose. Furthermore, with a construction as hereinbefore described, the hose will not become twisted by any turning of the handle.

The construction shown in Figure 2 operates in the same manner as the construction in Figure 1, with the exception of the locking means for locking the hose in its inwardly bent and valve opening position.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim is:

1. A combined Valve and handle comprising a handle member U-shaped in cross section, end members carried by said handle member formed with aligned holes, a flexible hose loosely extending through one of said holes, a valve loosely engaging through the other of said holes, means coupling said valve to said hose, said valve including a valve plug operating stem extending into said hose whereby bending of said hose between said end members will effect opening of said valve, a keeper carried by said hose and projecting into said handle, and a locking member slidably carried by said handle for locking said keeper in valve opening position.

2. In combination a valve structure, a hose connected to said structure, a valve operator extending lengthwise of said hose, a handle loosely engaging said hose and said structure and including means whereby a portion of said hose may be bent inwardly of said handle and said valve operator adjusted to valve opening position, a sleeve loose about said hose, an arm fixed to saidsleeve and extending inwardly of said handle,

and locking means carried by said handle engageable with said arm for locking said arm in innermost valve opening position.

3. In combination a valve structure. a hose connected to said structure, a valve operator extending lengthwise of said hose, a handle loosely engaging said hose and said structure and including means whereby a portion of said hose may be bent inwardly of said handle and said valve operator adjusted to valve opening position, a sleeve loose about said hose, an arm xed to said sleeve and extending inwardly of said handle, a keeper carried by said arm, and a locking bar slidably carried by said handle engageable with said keeper for holding the latter in valve opening position.

4. A combined valve and handle comprising a handle member U-shaped in cross section, end members carried by said handle member formed with aligned holes, a flexible hose loosely extending through one of said holes, a valve loosely engaging through the other of said holes, means coupling said valve to said hose, said valve including a valve plug operating stem extending into said hose whereby bending of said hose between said end members will eect opening of said Valve, a sleeve loose on said hose, an arm carried by said sleeve extending inwardly of said handle, a locking lever pivotally carried by said handle, a loose coupling between said lever and said arm, spring means for holding said lever in adjusted position, and an operating lever lxed to said locking lever.

ANDERS RUDOLF LOFSTRAND, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

